this goes way bond politics. >> reporter: late thursday harry reid released a statement saying he wants to bring a gun safety bill to the floor after the upcoming recess, including provisions on background checks. he said he also wants a vote on an assault weapons ban amendment. so there appears to be one last chance for the senate to vote on the ban after all. the nra saying they've always expected there would be a vote on the ban and they say they are prepared for a lot of pressure on senators to pass it. joe johns, cnn, washington. >> our thanks to joe. later on "starting point" we'll talk to aurora shooter survivor steven barton who has been working with newtown families in the wake of the massacre. >>> the united nations launched an investigation to find out whether chemical weapons were used in syria's bloody civil war. the assad regime and rebel forces accusing each other of chemical war fair, but u.s. military officials tell cnn their intelligence suggests neither side used those weapons. >>> 183 air traffic control towers on the chopping block. today we learn which ones the faa